The Best Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee
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This Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee recipe is where a delicious cup of hot coffee meets the sweet creaminess of Bailey’s. This dreamy coffee cocktail is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on cozy winter days—comforting, indulgent, and perfectly festive.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something undeniably cozy about cradling a hot mug of Baileys Irish Cream Coffee. The warmth seeps into your hands, the aroma fills the air, and the silky whipped cream melts into a velvety foam– perfect for any coffee lover!
Plus if you’re celebrating St. Paddy’s Day, forget green beer. THIS is your beverage. (Also don’t miss our roundup of the perfect St. Patrick’s Day Recipes.)
This is the kind of drink you’ll want to linger over, letting the warmth of the mug sink into your hands and the foamy whipped cream coat the top of your lips. “Nothing is sexier than a whipped cream mustache.” -An Irishman somewhere, probably.
Bailey’s Irish Coffee is quite simple to make and uses only a handful of ingredients. It’s the perfect cocktail to keep in your back pocket for holiday guests and entertaining.
Pair this drink with Toasted Coconut Shortbread or Canestrelli Cookies for a simple yet sophisticated treat that transforms any moment into a celebration.
Whether you’re savoring it as a morning indulgence, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a post-dinner delight, Bailey’s Coffee has your back. Maybe make some Stove Top Hot Chocolate for the kids, while the grown-ups enjoy their own special festive drinks.
However you choose to indulge, we think you’ll love this Bailey’s Irish Coffee.
Key Ingredients
All you need are a handful of ingredients that are easy to customize to your preferences!
- Hot brewed coffee: Choose a strong brewed coffee (medium or dark roast) for a bold, balanced base. Cold brew, decaf coffee, or coffee pods work just as well- use your favorite coffee!
- Bailey’s Original Irish Cream liqueur: This creamy liqueur adds a distinct sweetness and a hint of Irish whiskey. Substitute with homemade Irish cream or other cream liqueurs if needed.
- Sweetener: Brown sugar enhances the drink’s richness, but feel free to use honey, granulated sugar, or even vanilla syrup or brown sugar cinnamon syrup for variety.
- Whipped cream: Adds a luscious topping. Store-bought is fine, but homemade whipped cream is our go-to (recipe below). Non-dairy whipped cream also works as a vegan option.
- Freshly grated nutmeg: A sprinkle of nutmeg makes it festive. Cinnamon or cocoa powder can also work as a garnish.
See the printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
Recipe Variations
Make this Irish coffee cocktail your own and try out one of these fun variations!
- Traditional Irish Coffee: Add the brown sugar to the brewed coffee, but substitute 2 ounces of Jameson whiskey for the Bailey’s. Top with whipped cream.
- Iced Bailey’s Coffee: Stir the sugar into the hot brewed coffee, then pour over ice before stirring in the Bailey’s. Cold brew coffee is also perfect for this.
- Irish Mocha Latte: Combine 6 ounces (3/4 cup) strong brewed coffee + sugar + 1.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate + 1/4 cup steamed and frothed milk + 1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream.
How to Make Bailey’s Irish Coffee
Step 1: Pour fresh, hot coffee into your favorite mug.
Step 2: Stir in your chosen sweetener until it dissolves completely.
Step 3: Stir in the Bailey’s Irish Cream, letting it blend with the coffee’s warmth.
Step 4: Add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. For an extra touch, microwave the drink for a few seconds to melt the cream into a frothy foam. Grate fresh nutmeg over the whipped cream for a warm, spiced aroma.
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: Celebrate with a festive coffee bar featuring Bailey’s, whipped cream, and various garnishes for a fun and interactive treat.
- Winter Holidays: Add this to your family’s Christmas morning or New Year’s celebrations.
- Weekend Brunch: Pair with scones or buttermilk pancakes for a cozy, indulgent brunch.
- Post-Dinner Nightcap: Wind down with this warm, creamy cocktail after a hearty dinner.
Recipe Tips for the Perfect Irish Cream Coffee
- Personalize the flavor by increasing or omitting the sweetener. I love the richness of brown sugar as a sweetener, but vanilla simple syrup, granulated sugar, and honey syrup also work.
- We preferred the 1:4 ratio of Bailey’s to coffee, but if you want it stronger, try a 1:3 ratio of 2 ounces of Bailey’s to 6 ounces of hot coffee. Adjust with the amount of Bailey’s and coffee to suit your preferences.
- Warm your mug with hot water before adding coffee to keep your drink hot longer—a pro tip for serious coffee lovers.
- You can just plop the homemade whipped cream on top, but I actually like to warm the drink in the microwave for 20 seconds so the cream melts, forming a foamy top that is similar to steamed milk, but sweeter and richer.
- We have a nutmeg grinder similar to this one that we use for this and other festive drinks, like Bourbon Eggnog.
“Bailey’s Hacks” for Extra Fun
- DIY Irish Cream: Out of Bailey’s? Make your own by blending Irish whiskey, sweetened condensed milk, cream, and vanilla extract.
- Repurpose leftovers: Use leftover Bailey’s in desserts like brownies, cakes, or even as a drizzle over ice cream.
- Garnishes: Add chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or even a peppermint stick or candy cane during the holidays.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Substitute Bailey’s with a non-alcoholic Irish cream-flavored creamer for a family-friendly version.
A medium or dark roast offers the most robust flavor, but cold brew or flavored coffee adds a unique twist. Even instant coffee will work in a pinch.
Yes, Bailey’s Irish Cream is gluten-free, making this drink accessible to those with gluten sensitivities.
The drink itself is best made fresh, but the good news is that you can pre-mix the coffee and Bailey’s in advance, keeping them warm in a carafe. Add whipped cream just before serving.
More Festive Drink Recipes
If you’re loving this coffee cocktail, don’t miss these other cozy, festive recipes:
- Stove Top Hot Chocolate: A creamy, chocolatey delight for the whole family.
- Cinnamon Lattes: A cozy dupe for Starbuck’s Cinnamon Dolce Latte!
- Honey Lattes: A personal favorite of mine, these are warm and subtly sweet.
- Chai Tea Concentrate: Keep this warmly spiced concentrate in the fridge year round for quick hot or cold chai lattes.
- Brunch Punch: A festive cranberry punch that’s perfect for the holidays.
- Matcha Lattes: Whether cold or iced, these sweet earthy green lattes are a big hit with the non-coffee crowd
This Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee is more than just a drink—it’s an experience. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply curling up with a good book, this classic cold weather cocktail makes every moment a little more special.
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Bailey’s Irish Cream Coffee
Ingredients
- 8 ounces hot brewed coffee
- 2 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur (more or less as you prefer)
- 2 teaspoons sweetener (I prefer brown sugar)
- Dollop of whipped cream (store bought or homemade)
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Add the coffee to a mug, then stir in the sweetener until dissolved.
- Stir in the Bailey’s.
- Top with whipped cream. It will start to melt into the drink right away, but if you prefer, microwave for an additional 20 seconds to melt the whipped cream completely before serving.
Notes
-
- Personalize the flavor by increasing or omitting the sweetener. I love the richness of brown sugar as a sweetener, but vanilla simple syrup, granulated sugar, and honey also work.
-
- We preferred the 1:4 ratio of Bailey’s to coffee, but if you want it stronger, try a 1:3 ratio of 2 ounces of Bailey’s to 6 ounces of hot coffee. Adjust with the amount of Bailey’s and coffee to suit your preferences.
-
- Warm your mug with hot water before adding coffee to keep your drink hot longer—a pro tip for serious coffee lovers.
-
- You can just plop the homemade whipped cream on top, but I actually like to warm the drink in the microwave for 20 seconds so the cream melts, forming a foamy top that is similar to steamed milk, but sweeter and richer.
-
- We have a nutmeg grinder similar to this one that we use for this and other festive drinks, like Bourbon Eggnog.
-
- Add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer. If desired, add 2-3 Tablespoons of powdered sugar.
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- Beat on high speed with the whisk attachment until the cream is thick and billowy. You can stop when it’s soft set or continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
Creamy and comforting!